#15 Valparaiso earned three victories on Friday, including its third consecutive victory over the nation’s top-ranked team, as the Crusaders opened action at the Central Missouri Women’s Invitational in Kansas City, Mo.

The Crusaders sit in seventh place after day one out of 11 competing teams, having accumulated 4,767 pins on Friday, just 114 pins out of fifth place.  Nebraska tops the team standings with 5,199 pins.

Valpo opened action on Friday, contested in the five-game baker format, against #13 Stephen F. Austin.  The Crusaders opened a quick 32-pin lead after the opening game, but SFA bested Valpo in each of the final four games en route to a 1010-871 victory.  The Crusaders also would drop their third match of the day, falling to #4 Arkansas State 1035-977 after falling behind by 100 pins after game one.

Valpo earned its third straight win versus host #1 Central Missouri in between its two losses on Friday, downing the Jennies 924-860.  The big game against UCM came in game two, as the Crusaders held a 71-pin edge in that game, more than enough of a lead to secure the match victory.

The Crusaders closed the day with consecutive victories.  Valpo defeated UAB in its fourth match of the day, 1014-917, leading from start-to-finish.  The Crusaders then earned a 983-917 win over Elmhurst, overcoming an eight-pin deficit after two games with back-to-back efforts of 223 and 202.

Valparaiso (51-55) continues action from Kansas City on Saturday in the second of three days of action.